The discussion of the joint Egyptian-Chinese role in enriching the South-South dialogue and leading the developing countries of the Global South, with China as its leader, responsible party, and supporter, comes amidst unprecedented global changes. Here, cooperation between Egypt and China is taking a deeper and more comprehensive approach to support the voice of the Global South globally. This was recently highlighted during the official visit of Chinese Premier “Li Keqiang ”to Cairo from July 9 to 10, 2025. This visit is important for Egypt, as it comes directly after his participation in the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This gives it a unique strategic dimension that goes beyond bilateralism to include the broader regional and international context to support the unified voice of the Global South in all international forums worldwide. Egypt is a reliable partner for China in enriching the dialogue of the Global South, given Egypt and China’s joint membership in the BRICS and G20, a vivid example of what each is currently doing to promote the interests of developing countries amid the successive international crises facing the world, particularly the developing countries of the Global South.
The term “Global South” refers to developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which face economic, social, political, and climatic challenges. China, along with Egypt, seeks to build strong relations with these countries, with the aim of promoting joint development and achieving mutual interests. China considers itself a rising power in the Global South and seeks to play a leading role in shaping the new world order. The Global South is China’s gateway to building a new world order, free from American hegemonic policies, dictates, and conditionality.
China leads numerous international initiatives for the benefit of developing countries in the Global South. It has growing economic and political ties with countries in the Global South, driven by initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and development initiatives launched by Chinese President “Xi Jinping ”for the Global South, such as the Global Development, Global Security, and Global Civilizational Dialogue. China considers itself an influential force in the Global South and seeks to build a new world order that reflects the political, economic, and climate interests of these countries. China uses diplomacy to strengthen its relations with countries in the Global South, in accordance with the policy of “major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.” It calls for peaceful resolutions to conflicts, as well as cooperation with countries in the Global South and Egypt to address common challenges, such as climate change and epidemics. Countries in the Global South support China in all international forums. Egypt, under the leadership of Egyptian President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi”, consistently expresses its support for China’s vision for building a more just and pluralistic world order.
The cooperation between Egypt and China to strengthen the voice of the Global South under these critical circumstances is a true extension of the shared historical relations between the two countries as founders of the “Non-Aligned Movement,” which supported the interests of developing countries during the Cold War. Egypt and China agree to continue this cooperation to strengthen the voice of the Global South and protect the interests of developing countries. Since the formation of the international order in the aftermath of World War II, developing countries and countries of the developing Global South have suffered from structural imbalances at various levels. These countries also face numerous emerging challenges resulting from multiple and successive global crises, as well as the escalation of geopolitical and economic tensions to dangerous levels, especially during the current period. Unfortunately, Western and American duplicity prevails in addressing many international issues related to developing countries of the Global South.
The ongoing Israeli war of extermination in the Gaza Strip, this unprecedented international violence, and the ongoing Israeli military operations inside the Gaza Strip to this day are evidence of the bias of the international system, led by US hegemonic policies, and its failure to address violations of international law, particularly with regard to implementing UN resolutions related to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, considering this the only solution to achieving comprehensive peace in the Middle East. This is something Egypt and China support in all international forums and is encouraged by various countries of the developing global South, led by China.
There is a joint Egyptian-Chinese agreement on the need to “reform the global financial system for the benefit of the Global South” in a way that enhances the role of international financial institutions and prevents developing countries from being deprived of the hard-won gains of sustainable development. This also includes strengthening climate action efforts to overcome the climate change challenges facing developing countries. China’s current policy of transitioning to a “green economy” is part of its strategy to support developing countries in the South in enjoying clean, sustainable energy, primarily for the well-being of developing peoples and their right to a shared life and livelihood, in accordance with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s principle of mutual benefit for all, a shared future for humanity, and a win-win principle. Here, developing countries in the South, led by China, have recently intensified their efforts to impose genuine reforms on the global system, with the aim of making it more equitable and just in light of the growing economic, social, and climate crises.
From a Chinese perspective, Egypt is one of the most important countries supporting the voice of the Global South, given its position in the Arab and Islamic world and the Middle East as a major political and strategic player in the region. For Beijing, Egypt serves as a gateway for dialogue with the entire Arab and Islamic world and the Middle East. Furthermore, Egypt occupies a key strategic location on major European and Asian trade routes, with the Suez Canal connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Egypt is also the link via the Suez Canal between the markets of West Asia, North Africa, and Southern Europe, representing a pivotal point in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Maritime Silk Road project. This serves China’s strategy of supporting dialogue among developing countries of the Global South.
Here, Egypt has played a historic role in amplifying the voice of the countries of the Global South internationally. Perhaps the most prominent role Egypt, along with China, has played in amplifying the voice of the Global South is through their joint membership in the Group of 77 (G77) at the United Nations for developing countries. This comes as a result of their belief in the value of developing countries’ contribution to shaping the international agenda. Since joining the United Nations, both Egypt and China have remained a strong voice, expressing the aspirations of the peoples of the South for freedom, development, and peace, and a major contributor to the formulation of international policies based on multilateralism, equality, and mutual respect. In addition, Egypt and China have played a historic role in defending the causes of developing countries, their ongoing pursuit of international justice, and strengthening the voice of the South in global forums. Both Egypt and China have been a true part of all the changes witnessed by the developing bloc, such that the “Global South” has become a term that captures the diversity witnessed by developing countries, aiming to raise development levels and enhance economic capabilities, while recognizing that some of them have achieved remarkable economic leaps while still maintaining their status as developing countries.
In the face of international double standards regarding issues of the developing Global South, the strategy of “multilateral alliances among developing countries” has emerged as a major development in the relationship between the countries of the Global South, led by China, and the poles of the current global order, led by Washington and its policy of conditional dictation in dealing with the issues of the countries of the Global South. This strategy aims to improve the negotiating positions of the countries of the Global South and better defend their interests through a network of multiple alliances with various international powers. It is expected that the multilateral strategy pursued by the countries of the Global South, led by Egypt and China, will evolve towards a multipolar international world.
